With its RX 9070 XT Nitro+, Sapphire is one of the few manufacturers to offer a RADEON reference card equipped with a 12V-2×6 connector. The only problem is that the latter tends to catch fire quickly, especially when fitted with the blue adapter supplied as standard. To date, nine reports of burnt connectors are known.
RX 9070 XT Nitro+: nine boards burned with adapter!
Is the adapter to blame?
Broadly speaking, since the end of last year, reports of melted 12V-2×5 connectors on Sapphire’s board have been surfacing. We had a first case in October 2025 followed by another in November, and so on. The last case we dealt with was in January, but there have been others in between. What all these cases have in common, however, is the use of the 3×8 pin to 12V-2×6 adapter supplied with the board. As a reminder, this adapter has blue-tinted pins to ensure correct connection: as long as the color is visible, it’s not properly inserted.
In any case, it’s this adapter that seems to be at the heart of the problem, since to our knowledge there have been no cases of burnt cards when connected directly to the power supply… With the power supply cable. On the other hand, there are similar cases on the MSI side, where we regularly have reports of cards burning up with the adapters supplied. What’s more, according to testimonials, the latter tends to stick out, creating a breeding ground for overheating.
How can we avoid this scenario?
If all cases involve the use of an adapter, then it’s sensible to avoid using this type of connector. Ideally, if you have the opportunity, try to use the cable from your power supply, which seems safer. Of course, check your installation regularly and make sure your connection has not moved. With heating/cooling cycles, play can appear in the plug.
